Fringe Festival sees another jump in attendance

TJ Ganser as Whitney Smith and Matt Dentino as Jeff Smith in "Blogging Behind Bars," produced by Jon Kovach's Unity Productions. "Blogging" was selected as Audience Pick of the Fringe.(Photo: Provided)

Cincinnati Fringe Festival on Saturday wrapped up its 12-day run of more than 150 theatrical, dance and musical productions.

Overall attendance this year increased to 8,777, up 4 percent from last year. Nine of 18 of Saturday's shows were sold out.

Fringe awards, announced once the evening performances were completed, were spread across six shows:

Critics' Pick of the Fringe: "Sarge," written and directed by Kevin Crowley and starring Christine Dye.

Audience Pick of the Fringe: "Blogging Behind Bars,' by Jon Kovach of Unity Productions. The show is based on the blog of Cincinnati's Whitney Smith and stars T.J. Ganser and Patrick Phillips. Matt Dentino plays Jeff Smith, Whitney's father, who helped bring the story to life.

Linda Bowen Full Frontal Pick of the Fringe: "Traffick," by Pones Inc.

Dr. Robert J. Thierauf Producers' Pick of the Fringe: "Around Dark Matter" by Mica Dvir of Tel-Aviv, Israel, and "Traffick," by Pones Inc.

Audience FringeNext Pick of the Fringe (best show written and produced by high school students): "Ikelos," written and directed by J.C. Statt of St. Xavier High School and starring St. Xavier students, including lead actor Austin Lutz.

The League of Cincinnati Theatres also announced its favorite shows during the event's final ceremonies: "Slut Shaming," "Sarge," "Traffick," "Hot Damn! It's the Loveland Frog" by Hugo West Theatricals, and "Papa Squat's Store of Sorts" by Paul Strickland of Indianapolis.